Twisted House is a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional courtyard living, designed to harmonise family life with the extreme climate of Central Vietnam.Located in Xuân Yên, Hà Tĩnh, the 395 m² site faces the region’s notoriously harsh environment, characterised by scorching solar heat and the dry, hot Lao winds. The challenge was to create a quiet retreat that fulfils the client’s desire for a home rooted in childhood memories while withstanding these punishing natural elements.
Responding to extreme climate, snaa. designed a large roof and deep veranda as a buffer zone that reduces solar heat gain and protects the house from heavy rain. Local materials, such as exposed brick and concrete, are combined with garden spaces, creating a simple architecture that is connected to the surrounding landscape.
Large glass partitions replace solid internal walls, softening the boundary between interior and exterior. From most spaces, views are directed toward the central courtyard, allowing family members to remain visually connected even when occupying different rooms.
The spatial organisation centres on a central garden. Rather than serving only as a landscape, the courtyard becomes the core of the house, guiding circulation and visual relationships between spaces.Twisted House successfully bridges the gap between traditions and modern needs. By prioritising the relationship between people and nature, the project creates a resilient and soulful sanctuary that stands in quiet defiance of the challenging local climate.
